Add a device or PC to a network

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

The steps for adding a device or PC to a network can vary, depending on the Windows operating system and the type of networking hardware you have. The following steps apply to PCs running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1. To add a PC running Windows 7 or earlier Windows operating systems, search Help and Support on that PC for "Add a device or computer to a network."

Note

With newer routers that support Windows Connect Now (WCN), also called Wi‑Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can add a PC to the network by following these steps:

Turn on the PC.

Connect to a network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer up, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ). Tap or click the network you want to connect to, and then tap or click Connect.

Instead of typing a security key or passphrase, press the Wi‑Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button on the router. The router will automatically set up the PC to connect to the network and apply the network's security settings.

Note

Check the packaging of your router to find out if it supports Windows Connect Now (WCN), also called Wi‑Fi Protected Setup (WPS).

Connect to a network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer up, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ). Tap or click the network you want to connect to, and then tap or click Connect.

Enter the network security key, passphrase, or user name if you're asked to do so, and then click OK.

To make sure you added the PC, follow these steps:

Sign in to any PC on the network.

Open Network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering network in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Network.

Make sure you see icons for the PC you added and for the other PCs and devices that are part of the network.

Note

Plug the PC into a hub, switch, or router and then turn it on. (If your home has Ethernet wiring and you have a jack in the room where the PC is, you can plug the PC into the Ethernet jack instead.)

To make sure you added the PC, follow these steps:

Sign in to any PC on the network.

Open Network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering network in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Network.

Make sure you see icons for the PC you added and for the other PCs and devices that are part of the network.

Note

To add a wireless device to your network, such as a wireless printer or print server, follow these steps:

Turn on the device.

Follow the instructions that came with the device to add it to your network.

To make sure you added the device, follow these steps:

Sign in to any PC on the network.

Open Network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering network in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Network.

Make sure you see icons for the device. If the device is a printer, you might need to turn on printer sharing so that other PCs on the network can use it. For more info, see Share a printer.

Open Network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering network in the search box, and then tapping or clicking Network.

Make sure you see icons for the device. If the device is a printer, you might need to turn on printer sharing so that other PCs on the network can use it. For more info, see Share a printer.